Strength

A.N. Ok, first a plea for mercy. This is my first Wicked fic. I've read the book, but because my reading skills are more speed than substance, I think I missed a few details. I also haven't seen the musical yet, but I'm going to soon (in 39 days,to be exact) and I worship the CD. Also this is not based entirely in either universe, though after re-reading this chapter I would have to say it's leaning toward the musical side. The point? If you see details that seem slightly out of place, please bear with me. Of course, if I make any grave errors feel free to review and tell me, just do so nicely and please DON'T give me any spoilers about the musical!

Glinda skipped happily down the hallway, returning from an outing with Boq, Fiyero, and the rest of their little group. It was quite late, so she wasn't surprised to see no light coming out from under her doorway. Elphaba was probably already asleep. As Glinda fished out her key, she wondered why Elphaba had declined the invitation to come along with them. She had seemed to be doing so much better with social things.

As Glinda entered the room, an unfamiliar sound caught her attention. Well, it wasn't entirely unfamiliar. It was just a strange sound to hear coming from Elphaba. There was a soft whimpering noise coming from her bed. Glinda had produced that noise enough herself to know what it meant.

Elphaba, her strong, witty, sarcastic, and slightly antisocial roommate, was crying.

At first, Glinda was at a loss about what to do. She had never seen Elphie display any emotion before, other than annoyance. Slowly, she stepped into the room and turned on a light so she could see the situation better.

Elphie was lying on top of her blankets, slightly curled up. She had her face to the wall, so she did not notice Glinda standing there. She also had something in her hands, but Glinda couldn't see what it was.

Not wanting to startle her friend, Glinda carefully approached the bed and put a hand on Elphie's shoulder. Elphie's body tensed a bit as she turned to see who had touched her, but she relaxed when she saw Glinda.

"I thought you were out with Fiyero and everyone." Elphie said through her tears.

Glinda nodded. "I just got home. What's wrong? Why are you crying?

"I'm not crying. I just

"Elphie, you are too crying. I can tell. Your face is all burned up from the tears." Glinda said as she sat down on the bed next to her. She shifted her friend's position so that Elphie's head rested against her leg.

It was Elphaba's next action that let Glinda know that something was seriously wrong. Elphaba did nothing. She allowed Glinda to comfort her, which was something that, under normal circumstances, would never happen. Glinda reached over to Elphaba's nightstand and grabbed a box of tissues, with which she began drying off her friend's face. The skin was raised and irritated where the tears had fallen, and Glinda was careful not to irritate it any more.

"Elphie, what's wrong? Are you sick? Did you get hurt?" Glinda asked. Elphie's lack of protest in this whole situation was beginning to make Glinda wonder if there was something physically wrong with her.

Without lifting it off of Glinda's lap, Elphie shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it" she choked out. The tears were coming into her eyes again.

Glinda slowly started to stroke Elphie's hair. "It's alright, Elphie. You can tell me. Maybe I can help make it better" she said, even though she wasn't sure that would be the case. Sure, she could comfort someone over a problem with their shoes or their makeup, and she could give great romance advice, but somehow she doubted that any of these were the reason Elphie was such a wreck.

This didn't seem to be a concern of Elphie's, though. She motioned to a piece of paper on the edge of the bed. Hesitatingly, Glinda picked it up and read it.

To: Miss Elphaba Thropp and Miss Nessarose Thropp

Crage Hall

Shiz University

It is my sad duty to inform you that your mother, Melena, passed away on November 11th. As you may expect, your father is quite distraught by this, so much so that he was not able to write this letter. The memorial service will be on November 15th at 10:00 am. This should allow you ample time to travel from Shiz to Nest Hardings. A letter has also been sent to the head excusing both of your absences from class.

Glinda put the letter down and looked back at Elphaba, who was still crying on her lap. "Elphie, I'mÉI'm so sorry." She was getting emotional herself. Glinda resumed stroking Elphaba's hair. She pulled her up so that her head was now resting on her chest and wrapped her arms around her. As she did so, she noticed what Elphie had been holding earlier. Still clasped in her green hands was a small glass bottle that Glinda had seen on Elphaba's nightstand before. She took Elphaba's hands in her own and asked, "What's this?

"It's something I keep to remind me of my mother. When I get upset, holding that usually calms me down. I guess it didn't work tonight. I'm sorry I've been keeping you up all night.

"It's alright, Elphie. Now, try to get some sleep, ok?" As Glinda walked back across the room, she heard Elphaba call out her name. "Yes?

"Um, could you, well, stay over here? I'm still a little shaky and

"Sure, if it helps you feel better. You really scared me tonight. Before tonight, I didn't know crying was something you could do." Glinda said as she went back over to Elphaba's bed. Elphaba allowed her head to once again fall on Glinda's lap as she drifted off to sleep.

Once Glinda was sure Elphaba was asleep, she moved Elphaba's head to her pillow and pulled a blanket around her. As she went to get into her own bed, she looked back over at Elphaba. She wished there was something more she could do for her.

A.N. Ok, so how is it so far? Please review.